Swimming performances of some native freshwater fishes

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Abstract
Observations were made of the response to water velocity for upstream migrating juveniles of 5 diadromous native fishes (Anguilla auslralis, Galaxiasmaculatus,Galaxiasfasciatus,Retropinna relropinna, Gobiomorphus colidianus). Swimming performance within a hydraulic flume was measured and observations made of the behavioural adaptions of some species to swim through high water velocities. Timed swimming at known water velocities allowed estimation of critical velocities for fish passage. For juvenile fishes (30–80 mm total length), velocities below 0.3 m s‐1 should allow unrestricted passage over obstacles less than 15 m in length. Water velocities below 0.25 m s‐1 may be necessary for obstacles over 15m. Field observations of Mugil cephalus corresponded with limited flume data, suggesting this species is a less vigorous swimmer: water velocities below 0.15 m s‐1 would allow its passage over obstacles less than 5 m in length whereas longer obstacles, without resting areas of static water, may require velocities as low as 0.05 m s‐1 for M. cephalus.